Is adding a third an option?

[daftscotslass]

I've been reading the Cavy Spirit pages for a while ever since I contemplated adopting a third guinea pig to my other two. I contacted the rescue local to us who informed me that adding a third wasn't a very good idea as one pig tends to be "victimised" by the other two, and hence they only adopt out in pairs. I have room for a third in my C&C cage, but not another pair. Anyone here have experience of three? Is it really not an option?

Other than the rescue, one of my work colleagues is (arrgh!!) contemplating giving away her male to a school (please, no!!) because he's become "too much hassle" and because he's too noisy. Needless to say, I would refer to her as a colleague, not as a friend. I have offered to take him in, and could even make him his own C&C cage for whilst he is quarantined and for the period between him being neutered and introduced to the girls. But I need to know if there is a chance that a threesome would work before I take him on.

 

[citronsoul]

I think a neutered boar would go fine with two sows. I see no reason why this wouldn't work out.

 

[Christys GPS]

I have seven piggers and I see no reason why they should not get along, my last three boars I adopted are together in a c&c and they get along fine.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Having a male and two females works nicely.

 

[Daisy Duke]

I think so also. The boar wil definitly be happy. lol

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Guinea pigs are very social and often live in herds. It can work. It really depends on the personalities. Most rescues do pairs because it's harder to adopt out trios. Most people want one, or two.

 

[Daisy Duke]

yes, most of the time people want even numbers of piggies. Such as 2 or 4 because they think one might be left out.

 

[Rachy1412]

I have a group of three males and a group of seven girls (Including one neutered male). They are odd groups and get on fine. The neutered male is in heaven living with 6girls!

 

[Slap Maxwell]

I have four girls and a neutered male, and they are fine as well.

 

[Daisy Duke]

Hehe, I bet he is. I just was just saying from my general experience.

 

[daftscotslass]

Thanks for all the answers. I'm just hoping I can get her to give me him rather than give him away to a school. It's bad enough that she keeps him with a rabbit.

 

[Daisy Duke]

Goodluck and no prob.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

I had a group of 3 sows before I added the 4th and they got along quite well. There is always the option of adding a third pig. If you know the personalities of the pigs you have, then you will know what type personality pig you need to adopt.

 

[Teria]

I had two females and added a neutered boar, and it went great! Some teeth chattering, some rumblestrutting, lots of dominance show, and that was it. After that, I added a third female. It took a bit longer for the girls to acceot each other but we have peace now (most of the time). So go ahead, three pigs are fine. And the poor "hassle" boar deserves a much better home than a school!

 

[daftscotslass]

My two sows are very different in personality but get along just fine. Bracken (the elder) is slightly territorial, particularly when it comes to food, so I just make sure there is two of everything. Bonnie prefers Bracken to humans, and gets exceptionally distressed if Bracken is out of her sight for more than a few minutes (she is 8 months old). They have never fought but occasionally have a few nose-offs over food and which pigloo each will have. At least if I adopt my colleagues, then perhaps they could have a few introductions beforehand.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I would definitely try to adopt that boar. Good luck trying to convince your colleague to give him to you!